This appeal by 1 Guerrilla actions are now a day to day occurrence in the Chile of the Genemals. The cruel repression is being met with armed resistance, and the junta is being denied a monopoly of violence.
Reports issued by a clandestine news agency have spoken of between one and five soldiers being killed every day, of the destruction of six hellcopters and cight aircraft, of military posts being attacked and companies of soldiers being ambushed. agency claims that the Second Maipo Regiment was ambushed outside Valparaiso, and lost all of its weapons and all but two of its eighty-six soldiess, In some areas as a 'spontaneous purisment by the people soldiers are being given prescots of poisonous food.
THE MIR Among the most important organiastions in the Chilean resistance is the MIR (Movement of the Revolutionary Left). Its political alms explained to Le Monde (30 October) by one of its leaders: Today it is necessary to create a united revoluLonary front - It is necessary to create new forms of political and trade union organisation .. the tosistance to the dictatorsbip is the first priority, the point of departure for a new revolutionary process draw. ing in the workers and peasants and lending towards the socialist revolution, This process, in our opinion. must of necesaity be based on the armed struggle. But the most elementary forms of resistance can contribute to the re-unification of the forces of the left.
The structures of the MIR were functioning 'normally" he sald, despite the ditficult conditions. Reports coming our of Chile base indicated that the leadership of the MIR has survived almost Intact, The seriousnoss with which the junta treats them is indicated by the fact that 5 out of its ten most wanled men, all of whom have a price on their heads, are MIR leaders.
There is as yet no clear indication of the attitude of the Communist Party front. he cP south orgiation ty towards the youth organisation is reported to be in tavour, important sections of the Socialist Party, but the CP leadership may still be looking lor unity with th "Iberal" sections of the Christian Democratic Party.
FRESH BURDENS The junta continues to impose fresh burdens on the masses. Its "free price' policy has resulted in price rises, in essential items, of between 200% and 1800% Sugar now costs tive tumes more, coffee seven times more, bread is up 265%, cooking oll 600% and tea 1800%. The regime claims that wage rises and bonuses will offset this to some extent, out il prices continue to rise at this rato the impact on popular living standards will be disastrous. (The junta estimates that inflation, now at 323% will dise to a world record nf 1200% by the end of the yoar.) In addition the standerd working week has been increased from 44 to 48 hours, without extra payment Foreign monopolies, however, are receiving kinder trentment. Forty American companies ane amongst che 200 domestic and foreign companies, nationalised by the Popuiar Unity Government, which are now to be handed back to their former owners. Negotiations for the compensation of other nationalised companies, incin ding the International Teisphone and Telegraph Corporation (ITT) lave been re-opened.
SOLIDARITY World-wide solidarity with the Chiloan resistanos is growing. In France a "Committee to Support the Revolutionary Strogele of the Chilean People bas been ser up, backed by all the organisations of the revolutionary left and the United Socialist Party (PSD).
The Platform of the Support Com mittee says:
In the feen of the military junts, the s istance of the Chilean people in all i Forms and paricularly the amed resis ERnoE, neede the active support of all those who sne in the coup a blow struck aguinst their own struggles and their owa hopes. WICH on people must be as benad as possbl articularly in France where the Fom doo-Mesmer government has cynicall expressed ils welcome for the Pinoche junta and maintains ils diplomatic laks with the manders of the Cullean people". Active revolutionary solidarity bas also been launched in Italy where a fund sel up by the iar left organis *Lotta Continua' has raised ALLEU t40,000 in ita first three weeks.
In Britain a comunittee set up in tb LSE haa alao appealed for funds + ATEAn ReSTRCE HnO TOER is every indication chat the maaseiHEC SUI wu the caes resistance w well under way in this LaH.Ir